Britain's farmers are warning that rising costs could push some of them out of business and weaken the country's food supply, The Guardian reported on Sunday.

"Some of these businesses aren't going to make it," said Jamie Burrows, an arable farmer in Norfolk who chairs the crops board at the National Farmers' Union. "It is very, very difficult."

Fuel is a big part of the problem, the farmers say. They use red diesel, a lower-taxed fuel for farm vehicles and machinery. The Guardian says its cost has almost doubled since the conflict in Iran began in late February. FarmingUK reported that the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board estimates red diesel reached 112.95p per litre in September, up from 75.21p a year earlier. That is a rise of more than 50%.

The Guardian also says the cost of most fertilisers and animal feed has risen by about 20% over the same period. Farmers also faced heatwaves and drought during the UK's hottest summer on record, which led to England's worst recorded cereals harvest.

The pressure comes as MPs on Parliament's public accounts committee begin hearings on Monday. The inquiry is looking at how well the UK's food supply can cope with disruption. MPs will look at findings from the National Audit Office about shortcomings in planning by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Britain produces about 60% of the food it needs and relies more on imports than many European neighbours, The Guardian reported. More than 150 food experts and academics recently accused ministers of being "complacent" about food security.

Fuel matters across the industry. According to Defra figures cited by FarmingUK, 98% of commercial farm businesses in England used red diesel in 2024/25.

What we know: Farmers say fuel, fertiliser and feed costs have climbed sharply, and MPs open a food supply inquiry on Monday.
What we don't: Whether the government will offer farmers relief on fuel costs, and what the inquiry will recommend.